How many decibels is an average drum kit?

dav nagle

How many decibels is an average drum kit with an average player rocking it out within a studio?

PaulBrewer

Peaks at about 4 billion Decibels ... Eh? Weighted

dav nagle

PaulBrewer wrote: »

Peaks at about 4 billion Decibels ... Eh? Weighted

I don't get ya?


Can the average decibel level of a drum kit be measured or is there such thing as an average?

JJV

Depends how close you are to the kit. Of course you can measure it - you can borrow me new snazzy dB metre if you like. I would reckon between 100 - 110 dBs A weighted at a guess. Certainly enough to harm your ears over time. EU regs specify anything over 90dBs in the work place & hearing protection must be provided & worn. (FYI my class & I reckon 85dBs is comfortably loud, 90 dBs is "noisy" but this is all subjective.

Savman

Of course it can be measured, I'd imagine it will drop every foot further from the source...laws of physics.

I'd hazard a guesstimate at upwards of 90dBA, a cheap measurement device would give an exact figure tho.

Savman

JJV wrote: »

I would reckon between 100 - 110 dBs A weighted at a guess.

I'd say you could be right, I've heard some snares louder than a band's PA :eek:

dav nagle

Thanks Savman and JJ

studiorat

Depends on why you are measuring it really. A hard rimshot at peaks at over 135dB easily. And drops about 6 dB 50 feet away from it another 6 dB for 100 ft and 6dB for 200 and so on...

i57dwun4yb1pt8

judging by the state of my hearing - about tewelvety gazillion DB .

but in reality the snare tend to be the loudest -
and the dreaded picclo snare probably reaches 9000 db ;-)